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Despite power, speedy outfielder not likely to move down in order
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008
ARLINGTON, TEXAS: The question arises among the sporting public almost every time Grady Sizemore hits a home run.
Why not move him from the leadoff spot to the middle of the Indians' lineup to take advantage of his power. With 29 home runs going into Friday night's game against the Texas Rangers, wouldn't he have 85-90 RBI instead of 79 by now?
''The only way I would consider doing something like that is if I had somebody very strong to put at the leadoff spot,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ''Unless you had another leadoff hitter get on ahead of him, you probably would lose production.''
There might be another adequate hitter on the roster to put at the top of the lineup, but there is no indication that anyone would come close to accumulating runs the way Sizemore does, which is the goal of a leadoff batter.
Two years ago, he led the American League with 134 runs; last year he was fourth with 118. Currently, he is tied for 14th, which says more about the loss of Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez to injuries than it does about Sizemore.
''Grady enjoys doing it,'' Wedge said of leading off. ''He's one of the best. And you always have to be careful about taking away an area of strength on the club.
''We already have three pretty good hitters in the middle of the lineup with Jhonny Peralta, Victor and Haf [when they are activated from the DL.] And now, Ben [Francisco] and [Shin-Soo] Choo are starting to come, along with Franklin Gutierrez.''
But what about all those home runs to lead off the game? If Sizemore were in the middle of the lineup, they might be multi-run homers.
''How many leadoff home runs have there been, five?'' Wedge said. ''I don't think it's a bad thing to start the game with a home run and take a quick lead. Call me crazy.''
Wedge also pointed out that making decisions based on statistics alone can be a mistake.
''It's not just a matter of numbers,'' he said. ''Players have to work off each other. We went through this last year when Kenny Lofton was here. It just didn't work.''
Wedge briefly used Lofton at the top of the order and Sizemore batted third.
''You also have to take into consideration whether a player is comfortable in certain spots,'' Wedge said.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS: The question arises among the sporting public almost every time Grady Sizemore hits a home run.
Get the full article here.
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